There is a lot of speculation in political circles about whether President Ranil Wickremesinghe will announce the general elections before the presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place before the end of October 17.
Numerous news reports, both in mainstream media and on social media, suggest that the general elections will come before the presidential elections.
According to sources within the political sphere, some key members of the United National Party (UNP), which is led by the President, are eager to follow the constitutional schedule and hold the presidential election first. However, there are others who are in favor of a general election.
Those who support the idea of a general election believe that contesting it while the President is still in office would increase their chances of winning parliamentary seats.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the main party that supports the President in Parliament, holds significant influence in making this decision. The UNP only has one seat in the House. When the party met with the President about a month before its convention, it expressed its readiness for any election.
As the ruling party, it has the majority support in the House. If it were to withdraw its support for the President in the House, the government’s legislative work would be hindered, leaving no choice but to dissolve Parliament for a snap general election.
However, the SLPP is compelled to avoid such drastic action because many of its MPs, who are uncertain about being re-elected, are not prepared for a mid-term general election. By serving a full term in the House, they would at least be entitled to pension benefits. The SLPP cannot afford to antagonize them at this critical juncture.
On the other hand, the National People’s Power (NPP), a political alliance led by the JVP, prefers to hold the presidential election first. The party has already begun holding political meetings in anticipation of next year’s elections.
The President’s decision may depend on maintaining stability in the parliamentary arena.
